It took me a couple of days to get over the heart-break at Chapel Hill, North Carolina from the latest installment in the Duke/North Carolina rivalry. Before the game started, I wrote on my facebook “My Carolina Blue pride. Check, wearing my Carolina Blue. Check, Beating Duke tonight? No doubt. Go Tar Heels.” As a Tar Heel fanatic (although I graduated from the University of Central Florida), I really anticipated another grind out win for the Carolina Blue side of the state. Furthermore, my brother celebrated his 23rd Birthday, so we went out to at a local T.G.I.Friday’s with a group of friends. While the game was on, I stuffed myself with half-off appetizers and Bud Light. I really didn’t pay much attention to the game in the first half; due to the fact it was my brother’s birthday. Plus, most tv’s had the Orlando Magic vs Miami Heat game. As the Tar Heels were winning at half-time, I was confidence level was high. For a good Tar Heel team who depend on twin towers of Tyler Zeller and John Henson, the most dependable point guard in Kendall Marshall, and brilliant sharp shooting in Harrison Barnes, I expected them to stretch the lead as usual and then win by the late teens or twenties to say the least.
During the second half, the Tar Heels were cruising along while leading Duke by ten or thirteen points. I told a friend of mine at the restaurant “North Carolina is such a good basketball team that they are boring to watch.” The game was toward its final minutes, Duke trimed the lead to eight or so points. I did not worry as much because I believed the Heels were going to pull this out and win. After one three pointer after another by Duke, the Heels lead was cut to five. I had this “uh-oh” type of feeling; due to the fact, I have seen this episode before during the J.J. Reddick era. The game is near the dire seconds. Heels center Tyler Zeller was making pivotal mistakes by a goaltending call for Duke and missing a free throw that may took the game to overtime. I forgot to mention a Duke freshman in the name of Austin “Sub-Zero” Rivers. I watched this kid last year at Winter Park High School in Orlando, Florida from his flamboyant play to his attitude adjustment trash talk to the point he needs to be dunked on by LeBron James. As Rivers demanded the ball, he spoke earlier that he will make an impact in the game. He was on the three point line, shot the ball over Zeller, and made the basket. Duke won the game. Everyone in the Dean Dome was stunned; 
meanwhile at T.G.I.Friday’s, I left my table with disgust while hiding myself around another table. My brother and our friends laughed at me; meanwhile, I was asked the bartender for round of Long Island Ice Tea. Minutes later, my facebook wall and my phone buzzed from a couple of Duke Fans to the point I was feeling a bit sick from the game. I don’t like losing to my rivals especially from the Duke Blue Devils. I can’t wait till March 3rd for round two at Cameron with the crazies. College basketball has officially begun for me that night. Game On Duke and bring Sub-Zero with you.
